Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (ClarksonComet21) — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:10:53 GMT

Brewmeister, you make some good points. As a lifelong hockey person I have done, and always will do anything that I can to promote attendance and to keep the hockey club in Amarillo. My family has been in the same seats since the inaugural '96-'97 season of the Rattlers and we hope to be there for a long time going forward.

Gorillas, Coolen score on rebound

Wednesday morning, however, Sanders received a call from Coolen.

"He and his wife had spent most of the night discussing the issues they had and decided that this was the move they wanted to make," Sanders said. "I got reassurance that this is what they both want to do, and Tom conceded that it was just a moment...

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Kathy) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:19:29 GMT

Nice to see you Jason.

The second press release does mention the SPHL job.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (zambonir) — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:05:19 GMT

They have left out the year he spent as commisioner of the SPHL. Maybe not a fond memory for him, but also shows he hasn't been completely out of the US bush league loop.

Also, UNB has always been the Mudbugs feeder program. Jason Campbell and Ken Carroll also played for Coolen there (McArthur was a rare exception, not ending up in Bossier). Maybe he used Muscutt as reference.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Kathy) — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:49:53 GMT

Gorillas Officially Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

Amarillo, TX 5/14/08 - After sorting through contract issues that arose late last night, the Amarillo Gorillas officially announced today the hiring of Tom Coolen as the new Head Coach of the organization. New team owner Randy Sanders had this to say when asked about the temporary stall in negotiations with Coolen -

"Well our first shot hit the...

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Hockey Agitator) — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:08:11 GMT

Gorillas Coaching Position Still in Limbo

Amarillo, TX 5/14/08 - The Amarillo Gorillas have announced today that their head coaching vacancy has not yet been filled, despite the announcement yesterday that Tom Coolen had accepted the position. The Gorillas believed that a contractual agreement had been reached, but ran into complications late Tuesday night that have prevented such an agreement.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (ClarksonComet21) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:44:26 GMT

Upon further review, El Tigre, I might have jumped the gun on Coolen. Just the players you mentioned and a few more that appear on rosters he has coached indicate that he might have better underground connections than I thought. But that is a non-issue and more.

The press release was issued late yesterday afternoon announcing Coolen as the new coach, and then TV news reports at sometime after 6:00 PM also talked about the signing. From experience, I would guess that the printing...

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (pbpsean66) — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:30:59 GMT

It sounds like the details WERE worked out because Mr. Coolen signed a contract. I just wish Mr. Coolen had taken a deep breath and made sure this is what he and his family wanted BEFORE signing on the dotted line.

As Joe Ferras proved, you CAN win in Amarillo, you CAN attract good players to Amarillo and the fans WILL support the Gorillas if given a reason to. I am sure Mr. Sanders will spend every penny he is allowed to spend.

Go Gorillas!!

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Tigers70) — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:04:09 GMT

This turn of events does not look good. I would like to think that before you announce the signing of a new coach all of the details would be worked out. I hope this is not an indication of things to come.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (steeltx) — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:01:00 GMT

Maybe Mrs. Coolen didn't want to move to Amarillo.......Just Kidding....

Ice Bats coach just gonna sit on his thumbs till they get an arena?

Ron C.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Kathy) — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:39:49 GMT

Just heard on the news that Coolen will not be the coach.

Coolen Backs-Out Of Gorillas Coaching Job

An unexpected development in the Gorillas search for a new coach:

Despite earlier reports, Tom Coolen will not take the Gorillas head coaching...

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (longball64) — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:59:01 GMT

Nice research, I'm less concerned with who the coach is (within reason, of course) than I am with what kind of a budget he will have to work with. It would sure be nice to spend to the cap for once and to take advantage of the vet slots.

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Tigers70) — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:41:19 GMT

I hope your wrong Comet. When I first heard the news I was a little stunned. I then did some research trying to make some sense out of the hiring. The last five years was a wash as he was coaching in Europe and not much to go on, however if you check his last year in North America (1999-2000) he coached the U of New Brunswick. A check of the roster for that year revealed some interesting names. The most noteworthy being Darryl McArthur. McArthur played for Austin last year and I believe he...

Re: Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (ClarksonComet21) — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:21:53 GMT

How do you say...budget move? Except for a string of successful years at Acadia University in Canada, this guy's resume is unimpressive. His only pro seasons in the German pro league and the old WPHL were losers. The fact that he has coached four different teams in the ("cough") purported elite leagues in Europe in just five years does not indicate that anyone wanted him back.

With almost no North American minor pro experience, either as a player and as a coach, his...

Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

feeds@yuku.com (Kathy) — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:49:56 GMT

Gorillas Name Tom Coolen Head Coach

Amarillo, TX 5/13/08 - The Amarillo Gorillas announced today the hiring of Tom Coolen as the new Head Coach of the organization. Coolen brings with him twenty years of head coaching experience at various levels including stints at the top collegiate level, the highest tiers of Canadian junior hockey, and professional hockey in North America as well as in Europe.

Coolen started his coaching career at Acadia University (CIAU) where he...